# Cricket question: defensive innings **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 15, 2005, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cricket-question-defensive-innings/317097 "2005-08-15T14:40:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cricket-question-defensive-innings/317097/22 "2005-08-16T10:59:08Z")
> [@II Gyan II](#): > > An interesting question. The laws may not require batsmen to score, but that is not to say it will be tolerated. Mind you, this is a good description of ODI play where the batsman really do have to chance run outs and perhaps even chance knocking the ball into a fielder’s hands. Test matches, on the other hand, sometimes require, as we just saw with the latest Ashes fixture, just hanging in there solely to defend the wicket. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cricket-question-defensive-innings/317097/23 "2005-08-16T11:05:05Z")
BobLimDem: You can go to the [United States of America Cricket Association website](http://www.usaca.org/) to see if there’s a club near you. Just expressing an interest in the sport will likely get you onto the field for unofficial matches. That’s how I got to score the winning run in one friendly (unofficial) match last year. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cricket-question-defensive-innings/317097/24 "2005-08-16T11:45:58Z")
For the classic example of a defensive innings in a One Dayer check out [this match](http://aus.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/WORLD_CUPS/WC75/ENG_IND_WC75_ODI1_07JUN1975.html) Gavaskar not out 36 in 60 overs chasing England’s 4/334. Interestingly in terms of 3,4 or 5 day games approximately the same percentage are drawn regardless of length due to several factors. Instead of wanting 450 in your first innings to avoid defeat captains want a quick fire 300 and a declaration on day one of a 3 or 4 day game. Attacks are inclined to be more aggressive and even strive to bowl more overs because they wont be back bowling on Tuesday. ---
**Author:** ![BadBadger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@BadBadger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BadBadger)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cricket-question-defensive-innings/317097/25 "2005-08-16T14:21:35Z")
> [@Mickymoo](#): > > Wasn’t it strange to see Brett Lee NOT wanting the ball to go for four Here’s one for you. Say the ball was trundling towards the boundary but was obviosuly not gonna make it. Brett gets himself back on strike (for next over) by running a single but stopping. Could the fielder punt the ball into the boundary? Just curious even though I just know “it wouldn’t be cricket.” ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cricket-question-defensive-innings/317097/26 "2005-08-16T14:28:24Z")
If the fielder knocks the ball into the boundary, then the ball has crossed the boundary and the batting side is awarded four runs although they actually only ran one. The batsmen then go back to the positions they occupied when they faced that delivery. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cricket-question-defensive-innings/317097/27 "2005-08-16T14:43:10Z")
Law 19 applies if the fielder deliberatly nudges the ball to the boundary: If the boundary results either from an overthrow or from the wilful act of a fielder the runs scored shall be (i) the penalty for a No ball or a Wide, if applicable, together with any penalties under either of Laws 18.5(b) (Deliberate short runs) or 42 (Fair and unfair play) that are applicable before the boundary is scored and (ii) the allowance for the boundary and (iii) the runs completed by the batsmen, together with the run in progress if they have crossed at the instant of the throw or act. ---
**Author:** ![BadBadger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@BadBadger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BadBadger)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cricket-question-defensive-innings/317097/28 "2005-08-16T14:49:45Z")
Ah I see. Mnay thanks and pardon my laziness in not looking it up meself ---
**Author:** ![seetha](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seetha/32/18835_2.png) [@seetha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seetha)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cricket-question-defensive-innings/317097/29 "2005-08-16T15:54:17Z")
> [@II Gyan II](#): > > An interesting question. The laws may not require batsmen to score, but that is not to say it will be tolerated. I do remember that there was a one-day match involving India where Mongia came in to join Prabhakar at the crease, with 7 overs remaining, requiring 63 runs to win. They deliberately played it slow and got only 16 runs. im sure you meant to type this but missed --\> the 2 players indeed were not tolerated- they were suspended from playing ODIs for some months. ---
**Author:** ![Fredescu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/73ab20/32.png) [@Fredescu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fredescu)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2005, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cricket-question-defensive-innings/317097/30 "2005-08-17T00:18:12Z")
> [@Cugel](#): > > Well, there can be. Fair point. In the context of a competition those extra considerations can come into play. I think I prefer one on one competitions for that reason. For the World Cup it’s fair enough, but I would prefer it if the three way competitions such as the VB series in Australia and the recent Natwest series in England were changed to be the host country playing each team seperately. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2005, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cricket-question-defensive-innings/317097/31 "2005-08-17T17:23:00Z")
Thanks for the links. I’m still thoroughly confused. If only some matches were televised I might get a feel for the game. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2005, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cricket-question-defensive-innings/317097/32 "2005-08-17T23:06:38Z")
How about you ask us some questions? I’m sure we’ll be able to clear some things up for you. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cricket-question-defensive-innings/317097.md?page=1)